I have to confess, I never had anything but a foam filter in my pond, and never added any beneficial bacteria, so I don't know. I sent off for another copy of the peroxide info, but as it is the weekend, they probably won't check mail til Monday...
How do I kill String Algae?
- Thread starter bettagurl
- Start date
Found this online in another forum...
Some people add one pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 1000 gallons. This is said to not have any significant impact on plants or fish and is reported to work well on both suspended and string algae. The only potential problem is that if you have massive amounts of string algae you may create a very large oxygen demand so physically remove as much as possible before trying this method - this caution cannot be over emphasized. It may be necessary to have an aerator ready to put in the water or, for small ponds, it might be better to remove some of the water and the fish to a temporary holding tank until the dissolved oxygen returns to safe levels. Adding hydrogen peroxide, while effective in removing algae, will essentially result in re-dissolving the nutrients which contributed to the algae growth in the first place.
Jen
Some people add one pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 1000 gallons. This is said to not have any significant impact on plants or fish and is reported to work well on both suspended and string algae. The only potential problem is that if you have massive amounts of string algae you may create a very large oxygen demand so physically remove as much as possible before trying this method - this caution cannot be over emphasized. It may be necessary to have an aerator ready to put in the water or, for small ponds, it might be better to remove some of the water and the fish to a temporary holding tank until the dissolved oxygen returns to safe levels. Adding hydrogen peroxide, while effective in removing algae, will essentially result in re-dissolving the nutrients which contributed to the algae growth in the first place.
Jen
Hi! I have had two deck ponds for six years with goldfish, which I've had since I put the ponds up. They reproduce every year. For string algae I use a new toilet brush to remove as much as possible, place water hyacinths in the ponds and pags of barley straw. I use either barley staw pellets or the straw itself. It can be bought at pond and some pet stores. Place it in nylon sockings and float near water flow. After the algae is gone leave it in the pond. My ponds stay algae free all summer.
